1979 ISCRA Camel Grand National Series

[stevenmerzlak]

The 1979 ISCRA Camel Grand National Series kicked off with a bang out west at Riverside International Raceway. Defending champion Darryl Forrester won the pole and the race, holding off a hard-charging Ken Morales in a race of strategy and attrition.

 

[stevenmerzlak]

And then, 35 days later... well, I'll just let Kenneth Morton from NBC Sports explain it.

500 miles comes down to 500 feet as Carter and Olsen trade paint off of turn four! The Cutlass and the Matador are on their last legs! Sullivan takes a look on the bottom! Here they come to the line... and it's a dead heat!

With a slingshot pass out of turn two on the last lap, AMC's Frank Olsen pulled alongside rookie Derrike Carter and the two crossed the finish line in a dead heat with Kurt Sullivan hot on their heels. With no electronic scoring to determine the winner, series officials put out a public inquiry for conclusive evidence that determined the finish of the race.

Lee Weaver of the Ormond Beach Observer submitted this photo at the finish line that shows Olsen quite literally an inch ahead of Carter. He was officially rewarded the victory and the first place points, but he told a reporter later:

"I'll split the money with Derrike. As far as I'm concerned, we both won that race. I just won it more."